11+ Highgate School, Channing, South Hampstead High School

[MightBizarre]

Hi all,
She has got these three offers in the 11+.
Anyone currently in these schools can give us some insight?
It's a sweet dilemma, I don't know which should I choose.

Very happy parent here. DD is thriving. Academically challenging, and enough girls to find your crew. She's big on music and the offering is superb. Sport is also going from strength to strength. While I know it is not the be all and end all, to give an idea of academic aspiration, Oxbridge offers this year over 1/4 of year group. Feel free to PM.

Which school is this?

My bad, SHHS

They are all similar ( one of them is co-ed, but you know that already).
There are a hundred different threads on Mumsnet about barely perceptible differences between various schools. Some of them simply have better PR. When the differences are so slight — and when so much depends on factors you cannot control and which are not determined by the school (for example, whether your child happens to end up in a cohesive, kind group) — how well your child does ultimately depends on them. The rest is about the cachet of the school’s name and perceived prestige.

If I had a girl, I would choose SHHS..

We have a very happy daughter at Highgate — we chose it over SHHS and City two years ago. The academics are strong and well-structured, but what really stands out is the pastoral care and the overall atmosphere. The friendship groups feel healthy and low-drama, and the school seems to manage ambition without creating unnecessary pressure. There are plenty of co-curricular opportunities, and she feels supported rather than overwhelmed. Overall, it has been a very positive experience for us.

i think you were checking if anyone is dropping a place for Highgate in another SHHS vs Highgate thread as I was about to reply you there? So I assume you dont have children studying in either of these schools?

NOT suggesting its happening here but a general note of caution occasionally parents have a vested interest (e.g.., if they are on reserve list) can sometimes talk down a school or advocate towards another school, so its important to keep that in mind when doing your research.

Id say as @Era68 said the difference (academic) between the schools is very negligeable. I have three kids in three different school (thanks to very "friendly" sibling policy of some of the schools 😁) in our experience co-ed is better as social dynamics between the girls is more "healthy"

Thanks for your message. The Highgate place doesn’t really affect us in that sense — it’s more about the gender split. We have a boy, so we can only wait for a boy’s place to become available on the waiting list.
That said, we do also have a daughter who will be sitting next year, and for her we would definitely consider SHHS alongside the other options.
Thanks again for sharing your perspective 🙂

Highgate absolutely.

100% Channing

Why? It’s generally considered a backup to the other two. Curious on your perspective